Heater head for stirling engine

Abstract

A monolithic heater head assembly which augments cast fins with ceramic inserts which narrow the flow of combustion gas and obtains high thermal effectiveness with the assembly including an improved flange design which gives greater durability and reduced conduction loss.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A heater head assembly for use in a Stirling engine and the like, said assembly comprising: a vessel having a vessel wall with an internal and external surface, said external surface adapted to be exposed to external heat created by a combustion gas stream, said internal surface adapted to form a Stirling engine pressure cylinder containing a working gas;   a plurality of external fins on said external surface forming respective channels therebetween for channeling the combustion gas therethrough; and   at least one removable stuffer means positioned in a channel formed between adjacent external fins dividing said channel into at least two smaller channels thereby concentrating the combustion gas to flow closely by the respective adjacent fins so as to increase thermal energy transfer from the combustion gas to working gas within the vessel.   
     
     
       2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fins are integrally formed with said vessel wall. 
     
     
       3. The invention in accordance with claim 2 which includes a plurality of channels formed by adjacent fins with at least one respective stuffer means in each of said channels. 
     
     
       4. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stuffer means is made of a ceramic material. 
     
     
       5. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vessel includes a plurality of channels formed on the interior surface opposite the external fins for passage of working gas therethrough. 
     
     
       6. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein such channels are formed integrally with the vessel wall. 
     
     
       7. The invention in accordance with claim 5 wherein such channels are formed by affixing corrugated material on the interior surface. 
     
     
       8. A heater head assembly for use in a Stirling engine and the like, said assembly comprising: vessel having a vessel wall with an internal and external surface, said external surface adapted to be exposed to an external heat source such as a combustion gas or the like, said internal surface adapted to form a Stirling engine cylinder;   a plurality of external fins on said external surface forming respective channels therebetween for channeling the combustive gas therethrough;   regenerator wall adapted to contain regenerator means and integrally formed with the vessel wall; and   said regenerator wall including flange means having an undercut means which results in said flange means accepting a portion of pressure and thermal stress on the regenerator wall during operating conditions.   
     
     
       9. The invention in accordance with claim 8 wherein said flange means includes at least two flanges integrally formed at opposite ends of said regenerator walls. 
     
     
       10. The invention in accordance with claim 9 which includes at least one stuffer means positioned in a channel formed between adjacent external fins dividing said channel into at least two smaller channels thereby causing the combustion gas to flow closely by the respective adjacent fins so as to increase thermal energy transfer from the combustion gas to working gas within the vessel. 
     
     
       11. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein said fins are integrally formed with said vessel wall. 
     
     
       12. The invention in accordance with claim 11 which includes a plurality of channels formed by adjacent fins with at least one stuffer means in each of said channels. 
     
     
       13. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein said stuffer means is made of a ceramic material. 
     
     
       14. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein said vessel includes a plurality of channels formed on the interior surface opposite the external fins for passage of working gas therethrough. 
     
     
       15. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein said channels are formed integrally with the vessel wall. 
     
     
       16. The invention in accordance with claim 10 wherein said channels are formed by affixing corrugated material on the interior surface.